The dream of having my own place with an olive grove in Spain has finally arrived, even if it came in the middle of this long-lasting unfortunate global pandemic.
Now I'm enjoying the process of getting to know my property and also learn about the history that comes within its walls. I had learned from one of my neighbors (who owns the B&B next to me) that his family owned all the cortijos and most of the groves in La Sierrezuela. Antonio also shared that the brick structure in the entrance of our little community was the school and home of the local teacher. In the old days, children from the different cortijos in the area would walk to these schools scattered around the rural landscape of Castillo. The school is now used by Juan Diego where he raises his burros.
Anyway, I wanted to learn more about my Cortijo, not only the history but all the important things you should always know about a home. If my farmhouse was to become part of my family, I needed to get to know it well. So, I decided to locate the previous owner, Don Pablo Gallardo a retired policeman from Castillo de Locubín and get a history lesson straight from the source. I've never met Don Pablo, the purchasing of the Cortijo happened remotely due to Covid, so I never had the opportunity to meet him.
I referenced my property's deed and found just the name of the street Don Pablo lived on, so I jumped in the car and began my quest to find Don Pablo. Little did I know, I was heading straight to my next adventure! The town was busy and the day was sunny and cool, you could see people walking around enjoying the day! I was able to find the street at the upper part of the town right next to Calle de las Cocheras, the street of the car garages. Basically, this interesting street is made up of car garages, where people park their car or rent them since small towns like Castillo come with their share of parking challenges.
I pulled into the street and I spotted two older men talking, so I ask one of them if they knew Don Pablo. Yes, I'm Pablo at your service! said the old man. Come on! I said to myself. I just couldn't believe I had found Don Pablo just like that. He seems pretty excited to meet me once I told him who I was. He didn't hesitate and before I knew it we were walking to his house for a quick visit. He gave me a tour of the home and showed me him wall honoring his years of service as a police officer.
He took me to the kitchen where he proceeded to show me the biggest onion I ever seen. He also gifted me a jar of Alcaparras, capers he had grown and canned himself. After he finished showing me around, he offered to take a drive to the Cortijo and share his knowledge about it with me. When we got there Don Pablo seem pretty excited and nostalgic as we walked around his previous olive grove. I think we both knew how much the Cortijo meant to us and now we both had a bond that I think we will always have, as brothers by architecture.
I would go into more details about everything we discussed, but my biggest take away from this visit was the fact that he loved his Cortijo.
Don Pablo, I promise to love and care for this place just like you did! , I said as I shared with him my plans with the place. We step outside as he took me on an agricultural one-on-one walk introducing me to the fruit trees, nut trees, other olives trees, and the fields of artichokes and saffron. In 30 minutes he downloaded a lifetime of agriculture advise right into my brain.
He gave me a few pointers on how to prune the almond and fig trees, which I did later that day. Don Pablo kindly gave me his telephone number and ask to call him if I need it anything. I drove him back to town and dropped him off at a local pub where he was meeting some friends for a cold beer. Gracias Don Pablo Gallardo, I will continue your legacy at Cortijo Golondriño... formally known as Cortijo Gallardo.
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